Business Casual: Al-Jazeera arrives in America

Actually, get ready for some in-depth, smart reporting provided by an international cadre of journalists.

On Thursday, Pan-Arab news channel Al-Jazeera announced it is buying left-leaning U.S. cable channel Current TV.

If Al-Jazeera America is anything like Al-Jazeera English - the network's international English-language channel - then I can't wait.

Al-Jazeera English has distinguished itself with broad and aggressive coverage of international news, from the Arab Spring to civil war in Africa to Mexican drug cartels.

Al-Jazeera English even upstaged U.S. networks a couple of years ago with a thorough expose of the fight in Congress over medical and financial benefits for 9/11 first responders.

Al-Jazeera English's reporting has won numerous journalism accolades, including an Alfred I. DuPont Award and George Polk Award. Consider some of the people who have worked at Al-Jazeera English, including renowned British journalist Sir David Frost.

I watch Al-Jazeera English online because I can't get it on my pay-TV service. Most Americans can't either because the channel has been blackballed by nationwide U.S. carriers.

It's no surprise that Time Warner Cable dropped Current TV right after the deal for its purchase by Al-Jazeera was reported.

Our country has had a contentious relationship with Al-Jazeera ever since the news channel broadcast the post-9/11 video of the now-deceased al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden.

Our CIA monitored Al-Jazeera's broadcasts in search of secret messages to al-Qaida operatives. (We found nothing.) Our military bombed Al-Jazeera's bureaus in Afghanistan and Iraq. (Accidents.) We sent one of their journalists to Guantanamo Bay for more than six years before releasing him without charges. (No explanation.)

Despite all this, some of our leaders have praised Al-Jazeera. For example, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the network is a good source of news, especially considering the less serious fixations of the American media.

Given the quality of this network's journalism, don't be surprised if Al-Jazeera America becomes a big part of our media landscape, perhaps surpassing the BBC and giving CNN a run for its money.

However, controversies and awards aside, it's unclear whether Al-Jazeera America will be able to keep our attention.

After all, the network won't be waving an American flag in the background or reporting about the "War on Christmas."

If you're looking for angry rants from pundits, prepare to be disappointed.

Don't expect a simulated sex act on New Year's Eve like what recently occurred between comedian Kathy Griffin and CNN anchor Anderson Cooper.

And there will be little or - gasp - no coverage of the Kardashian family's colorful exploits.

Come to think of it, maybe Al-Jazeera isn't cut out for the American market.